Israeli reality TV series 'Survivor' causing ecological damage

[Judi Lynn]

Last update - 15:12 01/02/2008
Israeli reality TV series 'Survivor' causing ecological damage
By Ofri Ilani and Idan Ring , Haaretz Correspondents

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The "Survivor" series are filmed largely in nature preserves in developing nations - chosen precisely for their wild, untouched look. At the end of production, the "survivors" return to their homes, but the damage to the nature reserves remains. The Dominican Republic, which didn't hesitate to expel thousands of people from the reserve, also didn't hesitate to grant filming permits for a reality series inside park limits.

Latin American animal rights group Anima Naturalis reported in 2003 on damage to Los Haitises from the Spanish production of "Survivor". "The filming left a sad souvenir in the park. The cans, bottles and plastic containers left behind, the tree stumps and uprooted bamboo, are infuriating," the report states. A park ranger told the organization that ancient trees were damaged in filming, many temporary buildings constructed for the production were built from illegally cut down trees. In addition, fishing was unregulated and campfires were lit in unauthorized areas.

As in the Israeli version, Spanish crews also filmed inside caves. The ranger said some contained cave drawings of great cultural importance from the pre-Colombian period. Electricity, cables and lighting lined the caves, endangering the ancient drawings.

Dominican journalists and public figures have also criticized use of the nature reserve for filming. Senator Juan Morales Vilorio, who represents the park area, has demanded that the Ministry of Environment and National Resources act decisively to reverse the park's deterioration. "It concerns me that this area is being used irresponsibly to produce reality shows that substantially damage both flora and fauna," the senator told the daily La Nacion.

More:
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/950361.html

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No doubt the same kind of disregard surrounds the American series production, as well.